Phone outright vs contract
Buying a phone outright and pairing it with a cheap SIM-only plan is often cheaper than a phone contract, but not always. The only way to know is to do one quick sum, and we'll show you how. As a guide, our refurbished iPhone 13 is €299.99, which works out at about €12.50 a month over two years. If a contract charges you much more than your normal SIM-only price plus that, you're paying a premium for the convenience.
Which Option Suits You? Three Typical Buyer Profiles
Here are three imaginary shoppers to show that "it depends" is the honest answer.
Aoife—the student
Aoife is a student. She wants a good phone, has a small budget, and has a cheap monthly SIM-only plan. For her, buying a refurbished iPhone outright almost always wins. There's no long contract to be locked into, and she can change plans whenever a better deal comes along.
Declan—the upgrader
Declan loves having the newest phone every couple of years. He doesn't want a big upfront cost. A contract can suit him because the cost is spread out and the upgrade is simple. But he should still check the total cost over the whole term.
Mary—the long-term user
Mary just wants it to work. She keeps a phone for four or five years. For her, a contract is hard to justify, because once the phone is paid off, she'd keep paying the higher monthly price unless she switches to a cheaper plan. A refurbished phone and a basic plan would do her fine.
Do the sum in four steps
This takes a minute, and it's worth doing before you sign anything.
- Ask for the total. Get the monthly price of the contract, multiply it by the number of months, and add any upfront payment. That's the real cost of the contract.
- Price the same plan without the phone. Look up what a SIM-only plan with the same data and minutes costs each month, and multiply by the same number of months.
- Subtract. Step 1 minus step 2 is what you're really paying for the phone on contract.
- Compare that with what the same phone costs outright.
What our iPhones really cost per month
Here's the useful bit. If you buy outright and divide the price by 24 months, this is what the phone costs you each month. Compare it with the "phone part" of any contract you're offered.
| iPhone | Price | Works out at (over 24 months) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | €299.99 | About €12.50 a month |
| iPhone 15 | €459.99 | About €19.17 a month |
| iPhone 16 | €599.99 | About €25.00 a month |
| iPhone 15 Pro | €629.99 | About €26.25 a month |
| iPhone 17 | €979.99 | About €40.83 a month |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | €1,299.99 | About €54.17 a month |
Browse the full iPhone range, and read our guide to which refurbished iPhone to buy.
The honest pros and cons
Buying outright (SIM-free)
Good:- You're free to choose any SIM-only plan and switch when a better one appears.
- No long contract, and no phone payments tied to a plan.
- You own it from day one, so you can trade it in or sell it when you're done. See our sell page.
- Refurbished phones cost much less than new ones, and ours comes with up to a 18-month warranty.
- You pay for the phone upfront or spread it yourself.
A phone contract
Good:- Little or nothing to pay upfront.
- One monthly bill, and an easy upgrade at the end.
- You're usually tied in for a set number of months, and leaving early can cost you.
- You can pay more overall than buying the phone and plan separately.
- Some contracts keep charging the same monthly price after the phone is paid off. Check what happens to yours.
These are general points. The details vary by operator and plan, so read the terms before you sign.
The middle way: spread the cost without a contract.
If you like the idea of paying a bit at a time but not a contract, you've got options at Fone4U:
- Klarna or Humm at the online checkout. Both are run by separate companies, so check their terms. Klarna splits the price into three payments on our product pages.
- The Christmas Club: reserve a phone in one of our shops from a €20 deposit and lock in the price. There are no credit checks and no interest. Collect by Tuesday 23 December. The deposit is non-refundable, and the Christmas Club is in store only. See the Christmas Club page.
We compare these in more detail in our guide to buying a phone in installments.
Ways to bring the price down even further
What you get when you buy from us
New to refurbished? Read our complete guide to refurbished phones and our phone grades page.
Come and talk it through
If you'd like a second opinion on the sums, pop into any of our three shops. We're friendly, and we'll happily talk it through with you.
| Shop | Address | Opening hours | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bray | 27 Main St, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 X6V2 | Mon–Sat 9.30am–6.30pm, Sun 12pm–6pm | Get directions |
| Ballina | Tolan St, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 XT02 | Mon–Sat 9.30am–6.30pm, Sun 12pm–6pm | Get directions |
| Sligo | 19 Grattan St, Knappagh Beg, Sligo, F91 P2WK | Mon–Sat 9.30am–6.30pm, Sun 12pm–6pm | Get directions |
Can't make it in? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you work it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to buy a phone outright or on contract?
Often outright, especially if you pair it with a cheap SIM-only plan. The only way to be sure is to add up the total cost of the contract and compare it with the phone plus a SIM-only plan.
What is a SIM-free phone?
A phone that isn't tied to a network or contract. You can use it with any SIM and change plans whenever you like. Every Fone4U phone is unlocked.
Are phone contracts worth it in Ireland?
Sometimes, if the monthly price is good and you like a new phone every couple of years. Check the total cost, the length of the contract and what happens when the phone is paid off.
What is the cheapest way to buy an iPhone in Ireland?
A refurbished iPhone from last year or older, bought outright, with a cheap SIM-only plan. Our iPhone 13 is €299.99 and our iPhone 15 is €459.99. Check the product page for today's price.
Can I use a SIM-only plan with a refurbished iPhone?
Yes. Our phones are unlocked, so you can use any Irish network.
Can I pay for a phone in instalments without a contract?
Yes. Klarna and Humm are available at checkout, and the Christmas Club lets you reserve a phone in store from a €20 deposit. Klarna and Humm are run by separate companies, so check their terms.
What happens at the end of a phone contract?
It depends on your operator and plan. Some contracts keep charging the same monthly price after the phone is paid off, while others let you move to a cheaper plan. Check your terms, and ask your operator before the end date.
Can I cancel a phone contract early?
You may have to pay a charge for ending a fixed-term contract early. The amount depends on your operator and plan, so check your terms before you sign.
Is a refurbished iPhone as good as a new one?
A refurbished iPhone works like any other iPhone. Ours are fully tested and unlocked, with battery health of 85% or more and up to 18 months warranty. The grade (Premium, Excellent or Good) only describes how the phone looks. See our phone grades page.
Do I need a credit check to buy a phone outright?
No. If you pay in full, there's no credit check. Klarna and Humm are separate companies with their own approval process, and the Christmas Club has no credit checks and no interest.
Can I trade in my old phone to bring the cost down?
Yes. Get an estimate on our sell page, then take the cash or money off your next phone.
Is there a student discount on phones?
Yes. Students get €20 off any phone in store with a current student card. It's in store only, with one discount per purchase, and it can't be combined with other offers. See the student discount page.
Ready to do the sum?
Pick your next step, and do the sum with a real price in front of you:
Prices and availability can change, so check the product page for today's price.
